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The Firm of Girdlestone
The Firm of Girdlestone

Chapter XVII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ROBBERS AND ROBBED.
It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Firm of Girdlestone

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ROBBERS AND ROBBED.
Line 2
It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
Line 3
Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
Line 4
There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
Line 5
Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Another noun US /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.”

Bewildered noun US /bewildered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.”

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.”

Merchant noun US /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading “It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.”

ROBBERS noun US /ˈrɒb.ərz/

Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.

From this reading “ROBBERS AND ROBBED.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.”

All words in this reading · 99

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

African

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading ROBBERS AND ROBBED.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

arm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

back

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

bewilderednounUS /bewildered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

blow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

career

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

curtailing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

cut

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

dealt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

effects

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

elbow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

enabled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

endowed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

extraordinarily

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

Ezra

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

feeble

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

few

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

figure

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

Gradually

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

groan

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

hand

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

head

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

interests

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

junior

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

large

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

louder

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

meandering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

mishap

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

movement

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

narrative

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

narrow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

navvy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

oath

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

off

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

once

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

perhaps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

pressed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

prostrate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

raising

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

rare

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

rivulets

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

ROBBED

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ROBBERS AND ROBBED.

ROBBERSnounUS /ˈrɒb.ərz/

Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.

From this reading ROBBERS AND ROBBED.

shake

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

space

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

sturdy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

then

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

There

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

vitality

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

way

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

well

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.

world

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.

wound

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.